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More support is needed from parties in the executive to tackle the problems with blue-green algae in Lough Neagh, Stormont’s agriculture and environment minister has said.

The algae has been detected more than 100 times across Northern Ireland since the start of the year, with the majority of sightings in Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann, as well as Lough Erne.

Lough Neagh, the UK’s largest freshwater lake, has been blighted by large blooms of the potentially toxic algae in recent years.

Andrew Muir said: “There’s going to be a lot of very big decisions to be made, I need them to back me.”

Speaking to BBC News NI Muir said the “distressing scenes” were “sadly not unexpected because of decades of neglect”.

“I’m giving my heart and soul to turn the situation around,” he said.

“I’m very disappointed at the lack of support from other parties in recent months and urge them to rethink their positions.”

“It does seem these have been hollow manifesto pledges and when it comes to the decisions made, they are not standing up for the lough.”

He said there are four key decisions that he needs support for, namely; strengthening environmental governance, strengthening sewage regulation, better management of slurry and fertilisers on farms and support in a climate action plan.

A Lough Neagh Action Plan was approved by the executive last year.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said 14 out of 37 actions have been completed, while another 22 are being progressed.